On Saturday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide are set to face a ranked team for the first time this season in the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Led by head coach Jeff Lebby, the Bulldogs are off to one of their best starts in recent seasons, currently sitting at an undefeated 4-0 overall (2-0 SEC). As a result, the Bulldogs were ranked at No. 16 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, and have one of the SEC's top offenses averaging 43 points per game.
The Bulldogs have also defeated South Carolina and Missouri in back-to-back weeks ahead of Saturday's matchup in Starkville, and pair the two with wins over UL Monroe and Minnesota on their resume so far this season.
Following is a look at five Mississippi State Bulldogs to know ahead of Saturday's showdown
in Starkville, as well as how each has performed against Alabama before, if at all.
Kamario Taylor, Quarterback
The sophomore has emerged as one of top quarterbacks in college football across four games this season where he has completed 69.2% of passes for 1,192 yards and a 14:2 TD:INT ratio, while also having rushed for 185 yards and a score on 37 attempts. Facing the Crimson Tide defense for the first time, Taylor's 14 touchdown passes so far this season are currently the most in college football.
Anthony Evans III, Wide Receiver
The former Georgia transfer is currently leading the SEC with 28 receptions so far this season, which he has turned into 408 yards and three touchdowns. Evans, a senior, has faced Alabama twice before while at Georgia where he had a pair of receptions for 28 yards, as well as a number of kick/punt returns on special teams.
Fluff Bothwell, Running Back
Bothwell has rushed for 402 yards and three touchdowns on 73 attempts so far this season, while also having made nine receptions for 96 yards and another score. The junior running back will be facing Alabama for the first time this Saturday.
Sanfrisco Magee, Wide Receiver
Magee is currently leading the SEC with five receiving touchdowns this season, doing so off 13 receptions for 208 yards. The redshirt sophomore will be facing Alabama for the first time.
Tyler Lockhart, Linebacker
Rounding out this list is Lockhart, a sophomore linebacker who ranks second on the Bulldogs defense with 26 total tackles this season, while also having racked up two TFL and 1.5 sacks. Lockhart will be facing Alabama for the first time Saturday.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Heisman hopeful among Bulldogs to know vs. Mississippi State in Week 5
